70-yr-old blacksmith, 2 others charged with unlawful possession guns

By Adetunji Ayobrown
An Ilorin Magistrate Court has granted bail to three blacksmiths for manufacturing locally made Dane guns without proper approval from necessary authority.
A 70-year-old rickety walking blacksmith, Samuel Arinola of Gambari area of Ilorin, was among three defendants granted bail for criminal conspiracy and illegal possession of firearms by the Court.
Warranting the mercy of the presiding judge, the 70-year-old was excused to sit during the court briefings. Arinola who is the first defendant despite the supports of his walking-stick still rely on human assistance to move steps inside the court.
Others are Odetoye Adeola of Ile Alagbede, Otte, 65 and Abdulkareem Fatai of Idi Emi, Eyenkorin Area, Ilorin 30 years were all charged with unlawful possession of locally fabricated guns.
For criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 97 of Penal Code laws and illegal possession of firearms contrary to section 3(1) of Robbers and Firearms Act, CAP. R11 law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, three blacksmiths were charged to court.
According to Police First Investigation Report (FIR), it was a signal message no 22AB/G1/300/81 receive on 18th May, 2021 from one Major E.J Mailabari attached to 22 Armoured Brigade (Rear) Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin.
And that based on intelligence Odetoye, Arinola and Abdulkareem being blacksmiths alleged to have been manufacturing muzzle loading Dane guns for criminals with Ilorin and environs.
During investigation, seventy-four muzzle loading Dane guns were recovered in their houses without any approval from any authority.
The defending counsel who first pleaded with the court to allow the wobbly walking old man to have his seat before the court, went further to apply for their bail applications.
the state prosecuting counsel argued against their bail application, said that their offence is capital in nature which carried 14years sentence and because such cases are rampant in the society these days, they should be deny bail.
And also that there is no document tendered in the court for such bail application.
The presiding judge, Magistrate. H.A. Alege however granted them N100,000 bail with other conditions. which include with 2 reliable sureties in like sum and one must be a relation.
Other conditions are, they must swear an oath and sign affidavits, failure of which they shall be remanded in prison custody.
The magistrate the adjoined the matter till 9th of August,2021 for further hearing.